Take These 12 Incredible Ohio Hikes, One For Each Month Of The Year
There’s no better way to embrace a new year than by getting outside and spending some time in nature. Fortunately, Ohio has a wide variety of hiking trails to explore. From trekking through ghost town remains to chasing waterfalls, the following are 12 of our favorite hikes to take in Ohio. Dedicate each trail to one month out of the year and you’ll find that it’s more than doable to tackle this outdoor bucket list.
Tucked away in northeast Ohio, these unusual ledges are hiding in Cleveland Metroparks in Hinckley Reservation. The ledges themselves are captivating to walk through, but the faces carved into them make you feel as if you’ve temporarily entered another world. Learn more about this hike at AllTrails.
2. February: Old Man's Cave Loop (Hocking Hills State Park)
Old Man's Cave Campground, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
This hiking trail is stunning no matter what season, but during the colder months it transforms into a real life winter wonderland you have to see to believe. As an added bonus, you'll still get to see some greenery, as many of the trees along the trail are evergreen. We simply adore Hocking Hills State Park and its myriad trails!
Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that's rumored to be haunted! Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you'll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what's left of its surrounding ghost town. Today, little remains of Moonville and its abandoned surroundings. Trains passed through the area until the mid-1980s, even though the last family left the town in the mid-1940s.
4. April: Jane Coates Wildflower Trail (Put-In-Bay)
Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA
The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds. It's one of the loveliest spring hikes in Ohio!
5. May: The Stanford Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
The Stanford Trail is a Buckeye State bucket-list-worthy hike that will lead you to the boardwalks at the base of Brandywine Falls. It's a moderate 1.75-mile hike that takes a little more than an hour to complete. It’s best to visit the falls after a heavy rainfall, but all throughout the year this waterfall flows pretty powerfully.
6. June: Orange Trail (Sugarcreek Metro Park)
Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA
Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you'll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It's a breathtaking natural wonder you'll absolutely love. There's nothing like a walk In the shade of an enchanting tree tunnel on a hot summer's day in the Buckeye State!
7. July: Beach Boardwalk (Headlands Beach State Park)
Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
The 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park is short, sweet and stunning. Here, you can observe a variety of vegetation that's typically only found on the Atlantic Coast, which makes this trail extra special. (Of course, you'll probably want to go for a swim while you're here too.) Aren't Ohio beaches the best?
8. August: The Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail (Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve)
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
The Clifton Gorge loop trail, also known as the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail, cuts through limestone gorge and follows interesting pieces of Ohio's past, which you can read about along the way. (Note: Some spots can be slippery to cross in the gorge, so please proceed with caution.)
9. September: Rock Stalls Loop Trail (Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary)
Rock Stalls Lodge, 7499 Zwickle Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Although it's privately owned and operated, Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary is open to the public daily until 5 p.m., unless otherwise indicted. The 1.1- mile loop trail is lightly trafficked and rated as easy, according to AllTrails. Most visitors can spot a total of seven waterfalls within this nature persevere, depending on the amount of rainfall the area has recently received.
The Beech Ridge Loop Trail and Wildcat Trail connect to make a 1.8-mile trail in the Hell Hollow Wilderness Area. In the fall time, the deep green ravine glows gold. Don't let its name fool you; the views from the 360-million-year-old Chagrin Shale cliff are simply heavenly!
11. November: Knighton Nature Trail (Shawnee State Park)
Shawnee State Park, 4404 OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663, USA
Coming in at around 5.5 miles within Shawnee State Park (Ohio's very first state park, in fact!), the Knighton Nature Trail features stunning lake views, a good climb and breathtaking fall foliage in the autumn months. Just follow the red triangle blazes and enjoy the journey.
12. December: Jacobs Ladder and Christmas Rocks Trail (Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve)
Aside from the preserve's festive name, the 4.5-mile Jacobs Ladder and Christmas Rocks Trail is a looped hike that leads to a stunning overlook. Along the way, you'll encounter some unique rock formations, plants and wildlife.
What do you think? Are you up for tackling this bucket list of trails this year? What are your picks for the best hikes in Ohio?Share your thoughts with us!
Address: Old Man's Cave Campground, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Address: Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley Township, OH 44233, USA
Address: Moonville Rail Trail, Ohio, USA
Address: Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA
Address: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA
Address: Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA
Address: Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
Address: Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Address: Hell Hollow, Leroy Township, OH 44077, USA
Address: Shawnee State Park, 4404 OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663, USA
Address: Jacobs Ladder, Hocking Township, OH 43130, USA
Address: Rock Stalls Lodge, 7499 Zwickle Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Ohio
April 24, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some of the best hikes in Ohio that I can do year-round?
With our four glorious and distinct seasons, there’s always a new and wondrous experience to be had out on the trails in Ohio. One perennial favorite that’s simply divine any time of the year is the Brandywine Gorge Trail up in Cuyahoga Valley National Park — Ohio’s one-and-only national park, in fact! Tucked away in this slice of Ohio paradise, you’ll find the tallest waterfall in the state. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls. These easily accessible and beautiful falls are a popular highlight within the park, and the loop trail to get to Brandywine Falls is a fan favorite. Whether you’re visiting during spring wildflower blooms, on a hot and glorious summer day, during the height of fall foliage, or even when winter’s chill has seemingly suspended these falls in time, this is one Ohio hike worth tackling again and again.
Another favorite trail for year-round fun and adventure in Ohio is the Sharon Gorge Trail. Located in the eponymous park, this trail is an accessible little adventure that leads past waterfalls and creeks, lush forests and charming bridges. This hike actually offers a glimpse into the past, too, with remnants like trilobites and fossils found in its creek beds and rocky ravines.
Address: Old Man's Cave Campground, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Address: Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley Township, OH 44233, USA
Address: Moonville Rail Trail, Ohio, USA
Address: Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA
Address: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA
Address: Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA
Address: Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
Address: Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Address: Hell Hollow, Leroy Township, OH 44077, USA
Address: Shawnee State Park, 4404 OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663, USA
Address: Jacobs Ladder, Hocking Township, OH 43130, USA
Address: Rock Stalls Lodge, 7499 Zwickle Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA
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April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
